About Minature Horse Halters

A halter is a vital piece of equipment used for training, leading and tying a miniature horse. The styles of halters vary depending on the intended use and may be plain and sturdy for daily use or delicate and decorative for competing in the show ring. Miniature horse halters are available at most tack shops as well as online.

  1. Parts of a Halter

    • All miniature horse halters intended for daily wear are made of the same basic parts. The crownpiece, noseband, cheekpiece, and throatlatch make up the main part of the halter. Many halters come with adjustable buckles on the crownpiece and noseband so they can fit a variety of sizes. Another popular option is a snap at the throatlatch. The snap allows the halter to be removed without unbuckling, and makes it unnecessary to readjust the halter to fit each use.

    Uses of a Halter

    • Halters have a wide range of use with miniature horses. The earliest training a foal receives is typically learning to lead with a halter and lead rope. The halter is necessary for catching, leading, tying, and hauling of a horse.

    Stock Halters

    • Stock halters are often referred to as barn halters because they are made for day-to-day use. This type of halter is typically constructed with nylon or leather and metal rings. The width of the halter’s straps typically range from half an inch to three-fourths of an inch for miniature horses. Barn halters are a popular type of halter used for training due to the durability the design provides. Nylon halters come in a vast array of colors and patterns.

    Show Halters

    • Miniature horse show halters are made of a coated cable or rolled leather and are not intended for daily use. Unlike a stock halter, show halters have a formed metal noseband and lack a chin piece or throatlatch to allow the judge a clear view of the head. A lead with a chain is attached in place of a chin piece to offer the handler control of the horse. Often these halters have decorative beading on the cheek piece cable. Some styles also feature an engraved nosepiece. The primary goal of a show halter is to enhance and refine the appearance of the head without being distracting to the judge.

    Halter Safety

    • Leaving a miniature horse unattended with a halter is a safety risk.

      While the many uses for a halter make it the most important piece of equipment a horse owner may own, it is important to realize that halters can present a serious safety risk if not properly used. When a horse is turned loose to graze, the halter should be removed to prevent accidents. If it is necessary to keep a halter on while the horse is loose, halters with breakaway features should be used.

      A horse that is tied up should always be tied with a quick release knot or breakaway halter. Many injuries result from a horse becoming spooked and being securely tied to a hitching post or horse trailer.